Apparatuses and locking elements including assist devices

ABSTRACT

A pin assist device that eliminates the need to use a separate tool to insert and/or extract a cotter, or other fastening, pin. The pin assist device allows the user to easily insert or extract a pin in locations that are difficult to reach, in all types of weather and virtually all conditions. Related pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/718,366, filed Sep. 28, 2017, and titled “PIN ASSIST DEVICES, HITCHPINS, AND HITCH PIN ASSEMBLIES,” pending, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/418,442,filed Jan. 27, 2017, and titled “COTTER PIN ASSIST DEVICE,” abandoned,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/344,902, filed Jun. 2, 2016, the disclosure of each of whichapplications is hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by thisreference.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to pin insertion andextraction devices and assemblies utilizing the pin insertion andextraction devices. More specifically, embodiments disclosed hereinrelated to pin assist devices for use with one or more types ofretaining pins configured to assist a user in inserting and removing aretaining pin associated with the pin assist device without the need ofan external tool.

BACKGROUND

A cotter pin (also known as an R-pin, cotter pin, or hairpin cotter pin)is a fastener made of springy material, usually hardened metal wire.Cotter pins are commonly used to secure the ends of round shafts such asaxles and clevis pins. Cotter pins may include a straight leg connectedto a bent leg. The straight leg of the cotter pin is pushed through ahole at one end of a shaft until the middle, or belly, of the bent leggrips the side of the shaft away from the straight leg. The cotter pinis usually bent so that it remains in constant tension and will not comeloose from the hole into which it has been inserted without the userapplying some force to remove. The end of the bent leg most often isbuilt to point away from the straight leg to facilitate insertion of thecotter pin.

Cotter pins are frequently used in connecting various components and canbe located in recessed locations with limited access that hinder auser's ability to insert and extract the cotter pin. Some have attemptedto solve the problem of inserting and extracting a cotter pin bydesigning tools that are separate from the cotter pin, such as cotterpin extracting pliers. In a typical scenario, a cotter pin is used tosecure a ball mount hitch to a receiver tube on a vehicle. Once thehitch is inserted into the receiver tube, a hitch pin is insertedthrough holes located in both the hitch and receiver. A cotter pin isthen inserted into a hole in the hitch pin to prevent the hitch pin fromfalling out. When dealing with this scenario, the last thing a usershould have to worry about is locating a tool to help with the insertionand extraction of the cotter pin. In addition, such a tool is oftenuseless in facilitating the insertion of a cotter pin.

Similarly, other retaining pins also encounter similar problems. Forexample, linchpins, trailer safety pins, snap pins, and other retainingmembers may require additional tools to assist in the insertion andextraction thereof. These pins all utilize mechanical force, such as aspring, to form a latch or stop to retain (e.g., lock) the retaining pinin place.

In addition to being located in difficult to reach areas, such retainingpins often rust and bind to the shaft or member that they are intendedto retain in place. Rusting of the retaining pins increases a difficultyof withdrawing the retaining pin from the shaft and removing the shaft(e.g., a hitch pin) from, for example, a hitch receiver.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein include pin assist devices, hitch pins, andhitch pin assemblies including the hitch pins and pin assist devices.For example, in accordance with one embodiment, a pin assist devicecomprises an insertion end operably coupled to a retaining pin, anextraction end opposite the insertion end, the extraction end comprisinga gripping element, and a middle portion between the insertion end andthe extraction end, the middle portion having a thickness less than athickness of each of the insertion end and the extraction end.

In additional embodiments, a hitch pin assembly comprises a hitch pinand a retaining pin. The hitch pin comprises an elongate portioncomprising a retaining pin receiver on a distal end thereof, and a bentportion comprising a gripping element, the gripping element comprisingat least one protrusion in a direction toward the distal end of theelongate portion. The retaining pin comprises a portion configured toengage the retaining pin receiver, a latching element configured toretain the retaining pin in the retaining pin receiver, and a pin assistdevice comprising a flexible material coupled to at least one of theretaining pin and the latching element.

In further embodiments, a hitch pin comprises a cylindrical elongateshaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a retaining pin receiverat the distal end of the cylindrical shaft, and a handle extending awayfrom the proximate end of the cylindrical elongate shaft at an angle.The handle comprises a protrusion on a base of the handle, theprotrusion protruding in a direction toward the distal end of thecylindrical elongate shaft, and a gripping element comprising aresilient material around at least a portion of the handle, the grippingelement having a curved surface configured to receive a finger of auser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pin assist device, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the pin assist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view showing the interior of the pinassist device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the disclosureinserted into a hitch pin;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a pin assist device, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the pin assist device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another pin assist device, inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pin assist device, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a pin assist device, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a hitch pin including a gripping element, inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure: and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a hitch pin with a gripping element, inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular pin assist device, retaining pin including the pin assistdevice, hitch pin or component thereof, but are merely idealizedrepresentations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale.

As used herein, the term “retaining member” means and includes astructure configured for retaining and/or locking another structure,such as, for example, a shaft, in place. By way of nonlimiting example,a retaining member may include a locking pin (e.g., a round lock pin, asquare lock pin, etc.), a linchpin, a cotter pin, a clip, a plunger pin,a detent pin, a clevis pin, another type of retaining member, anotherpin for retaining, for example, a hitch pin, in place. As used herein,the terms “retaining member” and “retaining pin” are usedinterchangeably.

As used herein, the term “retaining member assist device” means andincludes a device coupled to or configured to be coupled to a retainingmember. A retaining member assist device may be configured to facilitateinsertion and extraction of a retaining member associated. with theretaining member assist device into or from another structure (e.g., ashaft). As used herein, the terms “retaining pin assist device,”“retaining member assist device,” and “pin assist device” are usedinterchangeably.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a pin assist device that isattached to a retaining pin and provides a means for a user toeffectively grip the retaining pin to either insert or extract itwithout having to locate and use a separate tool.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a retaining pin thatincludes an insertion portion for grasping the retaining pin to allowfor easy insertion thereof into a hitch pin without using a separatetool.

Additional embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a device thatincludes an extraction portion that allows for easy removal of theretaining pin from a hitch without using a separate tool.

An embodiment of a device that can be easily grasped by the user toinsert or extract the retaining pin is described. An advantage of thedevice is that the insertion function and extraction function can beaccomplished by a single device that is attached to the retaining pin.

The embodiments described herein may be embodied in the form illustratedin the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are illustrativeonly. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention,limited only by the scope of the claims.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to pin assist devicesfor use with retaining pins such as cotter pins, linchpins, lockingpins, retaining pins, plunger pins, detent pins, clevis pins, and otherlocking or retaining pins. Embodiments of the disclosure further relateto retaining pins, such as cotter pins, linchpins, locking pins, plungerpins, detent pins, and clevis pins including the pin assist devices.Embodiments of the pin assist device may enable a user to more easilymanipulate, grip, insert and remove the associated retaining pin fromanother member, such as a hitch pin or a trailer hitch (e.g., a drawbar), a hitch receiver, etc. The pin assist device may improve a user'sability to manipulate the associated pin while wearing gloves.

Some embodiments relate to hitch pins including a gripping element,which hitch pins may be used with the pin assist device and associatedretaining pin. Hitch pins with the gripping element may facilitateeasier insertion and extraction of the hitch pin compared toconventional hitch pins.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pin assist device 10 (e.g., a cotter pin 11)attached to a pin assist device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the pinassist device 10 is made out of a flexible material (e.g., resilientmaterial) and is fixedly attached to the cotter pin 11. The pin assistdevice 10 includes an insertion end 12 (e.g., a coupling end), anextraction end 14 (e.g., a gripping end), and a middle section 13connecting the insertion end 12 to the extraction end 14. The end of thecotter pin 11 is encased in the flexible material, which material isthicker around the cotter pin 11 and the insertion end 12, tapers off inthe middle section 13 and is thicker again at the extraction end 14. Inother words, the pin assist device 10 has a greater thickness at theinsertion end 12 and the extraction end 14 and a lesser thickness at themiddle section 13.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the extraction end 14 may bebetween about 2 mm and about 10 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mm and about 8mm, or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. However, the disclosure is notlimited to a particular thickness of the extraction end 14. In someembodiments, the thickness of the extraction end 14 is between about 7mm and about 8 mm.

The thickness of the middle section 13 may be between about 2 mm andabout 6 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 3 mm, between about 3mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 5mm and about 6 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the middlesection 13 is about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of themiddle section 13 may be equal to about half a thickness of theextraction end 14.

The thickness of the insertion end 12 may be between about 2 mm andabout 10 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 6mm and about 8 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited to aparticular thickness of the extraction end 14. In some embodiments, thethickness of the insertion end 12 is between about 7 mm and about 8 mm.In some embodiments, the thickness of the insertion end 12 is equal toabout the thickness of the extraction end 14.

The difference in thickness between the insertion end 12 and middlesection 13 may provide a grip that a user may hold, for example, wheninserting the cotter pin 11 into another structure (e.g., into a hitchpin). The difference in thickness between the insertion end 12 and themiddle section 13 may also provide stability to the cotter pin 11 whenit is inserted into the another structure. While it may be useful tovary the thickness between the insertion end 12 and middle section 13 ofthe pin assist device 10 in some embodiments, the pin assist device 10can also be made of a uniform thickness.

The pin assist device 10 may include one or more elements to facilitategripping thereof by a user. In some embodiments, a gripping portion ofthe pin assist device 10 may be defined by the middle section 13 and theextraction end 14. By way of nonlimiting example, the pin assist device10 may include a textured surface including one or more bumps, ridges,grooves, holes, protrusions, etc. In some embodiments, the extractionend 14 and the middle section 13 may include the gripping elements. Insome embodiments, the material of the pin assist device 10 may comprisea material exhibiting a high surface roughness. In some embodiments, thematerial of the pin assist device comprises a high friction material,such as a material having a coefficient of static friction between about0.7 and about 1.3, such as between about 0.7 and about 0.9, betweenabout 0.9 and about 1.1, or between about 1.1 and about 1.3. In someembodiments, the coefficient of static friction may be between about 1.1and about 1.2.

The durometer of the pin assist device 10 may be varied to increase ordecrease the tension (e.g., the rigidity) of the cotter pin 11. Forinstance a material with a higher durometer may cause the tension in thecotter pin 11 to be stronger (e.g., higher), making the cotter pin 11more difficult to insert or withdraw. A material with a lower durometermay cause less tension in the cotter pin 11, making it easier to insertor withdraw. Depending on how the cotter pin 11 is used, the durometerof the material may be varied to best meet the user's desired purpose.

As used herein, a durometer of a material means and includes a type Adurometer of the material, as measured using, for example, the ASTMD2240 standard test method for measuring durometer.

In some embodiments, the durometer of the pin assist device 10 materialmay be between about 30 and about 100, such as between about 30 andabout 40, between about 40 and about 50, between about 50 and about 60,between about 50 and about 60, between about 60 and about 70, betweenabout 70 and about 80, between about 80 and about 90, or between about90 and about 100. In some embodiments the durometer of the pin assistdevice 10 material may be between about 75 and about 85. In someembodiments, the durometer may be about 80. The pin assist device 10 maycomprise rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, and combination thereof.

In use and operation, when it is desired to remove the cotter pin 11,the user grasps the extraction end 14 of the pin assist device 10, whichhas a grip that results from the flexible material on the extraction end14 being thicker than the middle section 13 of the pin assist device 10.Instead of reaching for a separate tool like a pair of pliers or ascrewdriver, the user simply grabs the raised extraction end 14 andpulls to remove the cotter pin 11. Often in circumstances when a cotterpin is being utilized, the user will be wearing gloves. Because of thetapered ends (i.e., the insertion end 12 and the extraction end 14 or, atransition from the middle section 13 to each of the insertion end 12and the extraction end 14) of the pin assist device 10, a user caneasily insert or extract a cotter pin 11 with or without gloves. Theuser can also extract the cotter pin 11 from various angles because ofthe flexibility of the pin assist device 10. This is particularly usefulwhen the desired pin assist device 10 to be removed is in a hard toreach location. The user can simply grasp the extraction end 14 of thepin assist device 10 and pull to extract the cotter pin 11 without theneed to pull in a direction that is parallel to the pin (e.g., parallelto the legs of the cotter pin 11).

In FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7, the difference in thickness between theinsertion end 12, middle section 13 and extraction end 14 is shown.While the pin assist device 10 is illustrated as being fixedly attachedto a cotter pin 11, it is understood that the pin assist device 10 couldalso be removably attached (e.g., coupled, locked, otherwise secured,etc.) to a cotter pin 11. In some embodiments, the pin assist device 10comprises a removable coupling, such as at the insertion end 12 forremovably attaching the pin assist device 10 to the cotter pin 11. Theremovable coupling may include, by way of nonlimiting example, a U-bolt,a threaded portion, a snap connector, hook and loop fasteners (e.g.,VELCRO®), or other means for coupling the pin assist device 10 to thecotter pin 11.

Although FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 show the pin assist device 10 and cotterpin 11 as comprising a single molded piece, in other embodiments, thepin assist device 10 may include two or more components that are securedor otherwise coupled to each other, at least one of which may be coupledto the cotter pin 11.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 show opposite sides of the pin assist device 10 andillustrate that the insertion end 12 is created when the desiredflexible material is formed around cotter pin 11. In other words, insome embodiments, the pin assist device 10 (such as the insertion end 12thereof) may substantially surround an end of the cotter pin 11 andcouple the pin assist device 10 to the cotter pin 11. In someembodiments, a hole 15 may be defined in the extraction end 14 of thedevice to allow for easy storage of the pin assist device.

FIG. 5 shows the thickness T of extraction end 14 of the pin assistdevice 10 in relation to middle section 13 and insertion end 12. Theextraction end 14 can be easily grasped to assist in the extraction of acotter pin. In some embodiments, the thickness of the extraction end 14is greater than a thickness of the insertion end 12.

FIG. 8 is an end perspective that shows cotter pin 11 in relation to theinsertion end 12. In some embodiments, the thickness of insertion end 12may enable a user to get a better grip of the cotter pin 11 to allow foreasy insertion of the cotter pin 11.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view showing a cutaway of the cotterpin assist device 10 and the cotter pin 11 and the location of thecotter pin 11 embedded in the flexible material on the insertion end 12of the pin assist device 10. Although FIG. 9 illustrates the pin assistdevice 10 coupled to a cotter pin 11, the disclosure is not so limited.In other embodiments, a pin assist device may be coupled to another typeof pin, such as a lynch pin (e.g., a linchpin, ring catch pin, ringlatch pin), a locking pin (e.g., a safety pin, a snapper pin, a wiresnap pin, a coupler locking pin, a square loop wire lock pin, a roundloop wire lock pin, a shaft lock pin, etc.), a retaining pin, a hitchpin, a detent pin, a plunger pin, a clevis pin, etc.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a pin assist device 20 is shown, inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 11 is a top view ofthe pin assist device 20 and FIG. 12 is a top view of the pin assistdevice 20 after the pin assist device 20 is coupled to a pin 24. The pin24 may comprise a retaining pin, such as cotter pins, linchpins, lockingpins, retaining pins, plunger pins, detent pins, clevis pins, and otherlocking or retaining pin.

In some embodiments, the pin assist device 20 may comprise a flexiblestrap 21. The flexible strap 21 may include an opening 22 on a first end25 of the flexible strap 21 and a gripping element 23 on an opposing,second end 26 of the strap. The opening 22 may comprise an elongatedopening 22 extending longitudinally along a length of the flexible strap21. The flexible strap 21 may be removably coupled to the pin 24, bywrapping (e.g., enveloping, surrounding, sandwiching) around a portionof the pin 24 and inserting (e.g., threading) the second end 26 of theflexible strap 21 with the gripping element 23 through the opening 22 toform a wrapped portion 27, such as a lanyard hitch (e.g., ring hitch,larks head, cow hitch) knot, etc. In other words, in some embodiments,the flexible strap 21 may be coupled to the pin 24 with a lanyard hitch.

In some embodiments, the flexible strap 21 may include one or moreclasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, rings, buckles, knots, etc., located andpositioned to couple with a respective clasp, button, snap, hook, ring,buckle, etc. after wrapping the flexible strap 21 around the pin 24.Once the flexible strap 21 is coupled to the pin 24 the user may graspthe gripping element 23 to pull the pin 24 free (i.e., such as from ahitch pin). In other words, the gripping element 23 may be used toremove the pin 24 from a corresponding shaft (e.g., a hitch pin). Insonic embodiments, a wrapped portion 27 of the flexible strap 21 mayprovide a thicker area upon which the user may push to insert the pin24. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a pin assist device 20 may beremovable coupled to a pin 24.

Referring to FIG. 13, a pin assist device 30 may be coupled to a lynchpin 100. A lynch pin 100 may comprise a locking element 102 (e.g., aring, a pin latching accessory, a latching element, etc.) and a pin 104.The locking element 102 may be biased toward the pin 104 such that thelocking element 102 maintains a clamping force against the pin 104. Thepin assist device 30 may be coupled to the locking element 102 of thelynch pin 100. The locking element 102 may be attached (e.g., coupled)to an insertion end 32 of the pin assist device 20. A user may grip thepin assist device 30 at an extraction end 34 thereof and pull the pinassist device 30 to overcome the clamping force of the locking element102 against the pin 104.

The pin assist device 30 may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient)material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In someembodiments, the pin assist device 30 is secured to the lynch pin 100,such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assist device 30is removably attached to the lynch pin 100, such as with a buckle, astrap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, one or more snaps,etc. The insertion end 32 of the pin assist device 30 may encapsulate anend of the lynch pin 100. As described above with reference to the pinassist device 10 (FIG. 1), a thickness of the pin assist device 30 mayvary across a length thereof. For example, the pin assist device 30 mayhave a greater thickness at the extraction end 34 and the insertion end32 than at a middle portion thereof, which thicknesses may be the sameas the thickness of the extraction end 14 and the thickness of theinsertion end 12 of the pin assist device 10 described above withreference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.

FIG. 14, is a pin assist device 40, in accordance with embodiments ofthe disclosure. The pin assist device 40 may be coupled to a locking pin(also referred to as a lock pin) 200. Although FIG. 14 illustrates around loop wire lock pin 200, the disclosure is not so limited. In otherembodiments, the locking pin 200 may comprise a safety pin, a snapperpin (e.g., a wire snap pin), coupler locking pin, a shaft lock pin, aloop wire lock pin (e.g., a square loop wire lock pin, etc.), anotherlocking pin, etc. The pin assist device 40 may be coupled to any lockingpins known in the art in a similar manner. The round loop wire lock pin200 may comprise a wire loop 202 (e.g., pin latching accessory), a pin204, a locking element 206 (e.g., mechanism pin catch, latchingelement), and a pin head 208 with the wire loop 202 rotatably connectedto the pin head 208. When in a locked position, the pin 204 may beinserted into the locking element 206 of the wire loop 202. To releasethe round loop wire lock pin 200 from the locked position the pin 204may be removed from the locking element 206, thereby allowing the wireloop 202 to rotate in a direction away from the pin 204. The pin assistdevice 40 may be coupled to the wire loop 202 at an insertion end 42thereof. The user may grip the pin assist device 40 at an extraction end44 thereof and pull to deflect the wire loop 202, removing the pin 204from the locking element 206. The user may also grip the extraction end44 and pull to deflect the wire loop 202 to insert the pin 204 into thelocking element 206. In some embodiments, the pin assist device 40 maybe rotatably coupled to the wire loop 202. In other words, in some suchembodiments, the pin assist device 40 may be configured to rotate aroundthe wire loop 202. Although FIG. 14 illustrates the pin assist device 40coupled to the wire loop 202, the disclosure is not so limited. In otherembodiments, the pin assist device 40 may be coupled to the lockingelement 206.

The pin assist device 40 may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient)material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In someembodiments, the pin assist device 40 is secured to the locking pin 200,such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assist device 40is removably attached to the locking pin 200, such as with a buckle, astrap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, one or more snaps,etc.

As described above with reference to the pin assist device 10, athickness of the pin assist device 40 may vary across a length thereof.For example, the pin assist device 40 may have a greater thickness atthe extraction end 44 and the insertion end 42 than at a middle portionthereof, which thicknesses may be the same as the thickness of theextraction end 14 and the thickness of the insertion end 12 of the pinassist device 10 described above with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG.9.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a pin assist device 50, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. The pin assist device 50 may be coupledto an external hitch pin 300. The external hitch pin 300 may beconfigured similar to a cotter pin; however, the external hitch pin 300may not have a straight section. For example, the external hitch pin 300may include a curved latching section 302 configured to latch on theoutside of an element. The external hitch pin 300 may further include ahead section 304 connected to the curved latching section 302. The pinassist device 50 may be coupled to the external hitch pin 300 at thehead section 304 of the external hitch pin 300. The user may apply aforce to an insertion end 52 of the pin assist device 50 when insertingthe external hitch pin 300 into, for example, a hitch pin or otherretaining member. The user also may grip an extraction end 54 and pullto remove the external hitch pin 300. As described above with referenceto the pin assist device 50, a thickness of the pin assist device 50 mayvary across a length thereof. For example, the pin assist device 50 mayhave a greater thickness at the extraction end 54 and the insertion end52 than at a middle portion thereof, which thicknesses may be the sameas the thickness of the extraction end 14 and the thickness of theinsertion end 12 of the pin assist device 10 described above withreference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.

The pin assist device 50 may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient)material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In someembodiments, the pin assist device 50 is secured to the external hitchpin 300, such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assistdevice 50 is removably attached to the external hitch pin 300, such aswith a buckle, a strap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons,one or more snaps, etc.

FIG. 10 shows a cotter pin 11 attached to pin assist device 10 insertedinto a hitch pin 16. The hitch pin 16 is used to secure a hitch 17 to areceiver 18. The pin assist device 10 may be inserted by a user bypipping the pin assist device 10 at the insertion end 12 and pushing thecotter pin 11 through a hole 19 in the hitch pin 16. In order to removethe hitch pin 16, the user may grip the pin assist device 10 at theextraction end 14, extract cotter pin 11 and then remove the hitch pin16. Once the hitch pin 16 is removed, the user can remove the hitch 17from receiver 18. Although FIG. 10 illustrates the pin assist device 10,it is understood that the pin assist device may include any of the pinassist devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 described above with reference to FIG.1 through FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 through FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a hitch pin 400, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure. The hitch pin 400 may be formed of metalmaterials such as, stainless steel, hardened and unhardened steel,brass, etc. The hitch pin 400 may include an elongate portion 402 (e.g.,an elongate shaft) and a handle 404. In some embodiments, the elongateportion 402 may be cylindrical in shape and may extend along alongitudinal axis L₁₀₀ thereof.

In use and operation the elongate portion 402 may be inserted throughthe receiver 18 (FIG. 10) and hitch 17 (FIG. 10) to secure the hitch 17to the receiver 18. The user may grip the handle 404 when insertingand/or removing the hitch pin 400. The handle 404 may include a grippingelement 416, including a curved surface 430. The curved surface 430 mayhave a radius of curvature between about 1.0 cm and about 3.0 cm, suchas between about 1.0 cm and about 1.5 cm, between about 1.5 cm and about2.0 cm, between about 2.0 cm and about 2.5 cm, or between about 2.5 cmand about 3.0 cm. In use and operation, a user may grasp the handle 404and wrap a finger (e.g., an index finger) around the curved surface 430.A proximal end 440 of the hitch pin 400 may include an arcuate surfaceshaped and configured to be received in a palm of a user duringinsertion and extraction of the hitch pin 400.

In some embodiments, the elongate portion 402 may include a retainingpin receiver 406 positioned on the distal end of the elongate portion402. The retaining pin receiver 406 may define a passageway (e.g., bore,hole, or opening) through the elongate portion 402 in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis L₁₀₀ of the elongate portion 402.The retaining pin receiver 406 may be configured to receive a retainingpin, such as one of the retaining pins described above with reference toFIG. 1 through FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 through FIG. 15 to secure the hitchpin 400 within the hitch 17 (FIG. 10) and receiver 18 (FIG. 10).

FIG. 17 illustrates a hitch pin 400′ including a retaining pin receiver407, in accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure. Someembodiments may utilize an annular groove at the distal end of theelongate portion 402 about (e.g., around) a longitudinal axis L₁₀₀ ofthe retaining pin receiver 407. The annular groove may include a smallerdiameter portion 408 (e.g., a neck) between a proximal shoulder 410 anda distal shoulder 409. A retaining pin (e.g., cotter pin, locking pin,reverse hitch pin, lynch pin, indent pin, plunger pin, clevis pin,etc.), such as one of the retaining pins described above with referenceto FIG.1 through FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 through FIG. 15 may clamp over thesmaller diameter portion 408 for locking the hitch pin 400 in place.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the handle 404 may extend at an angle awayfrom the longitudinal axis L₁₀₀ of the elongate portion 402. The handle404 may include at least one protrusion 412 on a base 414 thereof. Theprotrusion 412 may extend toward the distal end of the elongate portion402. In some embodiments, the protrusion 412 extends toward the distalend of the elongate portion 402 in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis L₁₀₀ of the elongate portion 402. In some embodiments,the protrusion 412 extends at an angle between about 60° and about 120°relative to an axis L₂₀₀ of the handle, such as at an angle betweenabout 60° and about 75°, between about 75° and about 90°, between about90° and about 105°, or between about 105° and about 120°. In someembodiments, the protrusion 412 extends at an angle of about 90°relative to the axis L₂₀₀.

The protrusion 412 may be positioned and located such that in use andoperation, at least one of finger of a user's hand may rest thereon whenhandling (e.g., inserting, extracting) the hitch pin 400, 400′. Asdescribed above, in some embodiments, the arcuate surface may beconfigured to be received in a palm of a user's hand. In someembodiments the protrusion 412 may be integrally formed with the handle404. In other embodiments, the protrusion 412 may be formed individuallyand attached to the handle 404. The protrusion 412, may be 404 attachedto the handle 404 by any suitable method. By way of nonlimiting example,the protrusion 412 may be welded, brazed, threaded, interference fit,molded, lashed, shrink fitted, attached with one or more adhesives,etc., to the handle 404.

In some embodiments, the handle 404 may include a gripping element 416comprising a resilient material, a flexible material, or a material thatis both resilient and flexible. The gripping element 416 may include afront portion 420 and a back portion 422, located further from thedistal end of the elongate portion 402 than the front portion 420. Thefront portion 420 may be connected to the back portion 422 with sideportions 424. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the gripping element 416may substantially surround an entire circumference of the handle 404.The gripping element 416 may have a durometer (e.g., a type A durometer)between about 40 and about 90. In some embodiments, the durometer of thegripping element 416 may be between about 75 and about 85. The grippingelement 416 may comprise rubber, foam, silicone, nylon, leather, anotherflexible material, and combinations thereof.

The gripping element 416 may have a thickness between about 1 mm andabout 10 mm, such as between about 1 mm and about 2 mm, between about 2mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mmand about 8 mm, or between about 8 mm and about 10 mm. In someembodiments, the thickness of the gripping element 416 may vary along acircumference thereof. In some such embodiments, the front portion 420and the back portion 422 may have a thickness greater than a thicknessof the side portions 424. In other embodiments the side portions 424 maybe thicker than the front portion 420 and back 422 portion. In yet otherembodiments, the thickness may be different in each of the front portion420, the back portion 422, and the side portions 424. In otherembodiments, the thickness of the gripping element 416 may besubstantially uniform around the circumference thereof.

In some embodiments, the gripping element 416 may be formed around atleast portion of the handle 404. In some embodiments the grippingelement 416 may be formed around the base 414 of the handle 404 and atop portion of the handle 404 may be exposed. In other embodiments, thegripping element 416 may cover substantially all surfaces of the entirehandle 404 (e.g., substantially all surfaces of the bend portion of thehitch pin 400, 400′).

The gripping element 416 may include at least one ridge 418. The atleast one ridge 418 may protrude annularly about (e.g., around) alongitudinal axis L₂₀₀ of the handle 404. The at least one ridge 418 maycomprise a plurality of ridges spaced along the length of the handle404. In some embodiments, the gripping element 416 includes two ridgesextending around the handle 404.

The description of the invention above should not be interpreted aslimiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who areskilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to deviseother equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention.Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, areintended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a retaining member; anda retaining member assist device comprising a flexible material fixedlyand substantially unremovably attached around a portion of the retainingmember and comprising a single molded piece.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the flexible material exhibits a type A durometer betweenabout 30 and about
 100. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theflexible material exhibits a type A durometer between about 50 and about60.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the retainingmember is embedded within the retaining member assist device.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a lynchpin.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprisesa locking pin.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining membercomprises a square loop wire lock pin.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the retaining member comprises a round loop wire lock pin. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprisesrubber.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: a retaining pin; and a pin assistdevice comprising a flexible material fixedly attached to a portion ofthe retaining pin, the portion of the retaining pin embedded within andencapsulated by a portion of the pin assist device, the pin assistdevice comprising a single molded material.
 11. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the retaining pin comprises a loop wire lock pin.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is fixedly attachedto the retaining pin proximate a locking element of a wire loop.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the retaining pin comprises a wire loop,the flexible material fixedly attached to the wire loop.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the retaining pin comprises a lynch pin.15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the flexible material is fixedlyattached to the lynch pin opposite the pin.
 16. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the retaining pin comprises an external hitch pin.
 17. Alocking element, comprising: a retaining member; and a flexible materialfixedly and substantially unremovably attached to a portion of theretaining member, the flexible material configured to facilitate removalof the retaining member from another member.
 18. The locking element ofclaim 17, wherein the retaining member comprises a cotter pin, a lynchpin, a locking pin, a plunger pin, a detent pin, or a clevis pin. 19.The locking element of claim 17, wherein a thickness of the flexiblematerial is between about 2 mm and about 10 mm.
 20. The locking elementof claim 17, wherein the flexible material comprises a textured surface.